Maarten Vanden Eynde

Mobutu Magic (2026) - left - and Black Out (2026) - right -, Meessen gallery, Brussels, Belgium (photo: Alice Pallot)

Mobutu Magic (2026) - left - and Black Out (2026) - right -, Meessen gallery, Brussels, Belgium (photo: Alice Pallot)

Mobutu Magic consists of a copy of Mobutu Sese Seko’s iconic cane planted in a block of white marble from Carrara. The myth was consciously spread that his cane was so heavy it took 4 people to lift it, so when Mobutu greeted a crowd, he would lift it with one hand and instantly prove his magical powers. Although it is known that there were multiple copies of his cane, their current whereabouts are equally veiled by mystery. This particular copy is stuck in the icon of Western culture, as the sword of King Arthur in the ancient tale. He who can lift the cane will be King!